Spurned by partner, man goes berserk, stabs 2 at Makati bar

MANILA, Philippines — A knife-wielding man went berserk outside a bar in Makati City on Monday before dawn, wounding his live-in partner and the bar’s assistant manager.

Arnold Repuba, 34, assistant manager of the Lajura Japanese Bar, was reportedly in critical condition at the Pasay City General Hospital while Jennifer Santos, 22, a customer care assistant at the same bar, suffered minor injuries in a knife attack of a “jealous man,” police said.

Police Officer 3 Ronaldo Villaranda, investigator on case, said the attack happened in front of the Japanese bar on Arnaiz Avenue in San Lorenzo village during the establishment’s closing hour at 3 a.m.

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Villaranda said the attacker identified as Karlo Cruz, 24, a resident of San Isidro village, Makati City, was stopped and pacified by responding village watchmen.

The suspect is now detained at the Makati police station while the investigators are preparing to file complaints of frustrated homicide and attempted homicide against him.

In a sworn affidavit, Santos, one of the victims and live-in partner of the suspect, said that prior to the stabbing, she had told Cruz she was ending their relationship.

“But he refused and became so angry at me,” Santos said.

She said her co-workers tried to intervene in their argument when Cruz began dragging her out of the bar and forcing her to go home with him.

The man who appeared drunk according to witnesses kicked and pulled the hair of the two female employees.

At that point, the bar’s assistant manager jumped into the fray hoping to stop the scuffle at once.

Cruz then drew a 15-inch kitchen knife and stabbed him in the back and in his side.

Santos said she herself also received blows from the suspect, suffering cuts in her neck and left portion of her abdomen. She was able to escape Cruz’s wrath when she ran away and hid behind the bar’s counter.

Villaranda said the injuries of Santos were minor and she was discharged by attending physicians of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay where she was brought for treatment.